Friday Favorites with Dottie: Dottie’s Favorite Winter Activity

What’s up, Hokies? Dottie here! My feathers are frosted, my beak is raw, and it’s a typical cold December day. But the good news is that it’s Friday. Hooray for the weekend! Today is a special day because it encompasses one of my favorite Blacksburg traditions ever: The Winter Lights Festival! This festival is by far one of my favorite winter activities in Blacksburg. It’s one of the jolliest, most spirited, most festive times in Blacksburg. I just love it!

The Winter Lights Festival starts today at 4:00 p.m., and it ends at 8:00 p.m. tonight. Luckily, the Winter Lights Festival is in the heart of Blacksburg: it’s right on College Avenue. Businesses, clubs and people from all over Blacksburg gather on College Avenue, set up festive little booths and spread tons of holiday cheer. Thankfully, a little birdie told me who was going to be there this year. Here’s a list of vendors for my favorite Hokie fans: Carly’s Kettle Corn (YUMMY!), Phil Ramsey Fine Art, Dashing Dog Studio (Aw, puppies!), Dream Job Crafts, Gobble de Art (Featuring ME!!!), Poplar Hill Alpacas & Studio, Shine Your Light Soy Wax Candles, Smith Embellishments, Stefan’s Moonrise Kingdom, George Wills Art, and Weeping Willow Farms’ Lost in Time Naturals. These vendors are absolutely amazing! Feel free to stop by our booth though. You can come socialize with me and even take a picture with me. I might even let you have my autograph….

The Winter Lights Festival isn’t just about the vendors though. It’s about holiday festivity. There’s an art walk, a holiday gift market, and a visit from Santa! Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be at the Lyric Theatre from 3:30-5:30. I can’t wait to meet him! I may even take him some of my famous Hot Hokie Cocoa. Then, after Santa, there’s an entire concert in Kent Square. It starts at 4:00 p.m., so visit Santa early so you don’t miss it!

At 5:40 p.m., my absolute favorite activity occurs: The Tree Lighting Ceremony. All my Ho-Ho-Hokies gather around the huge Christmas tree (located on Henderson Lawn) and watch it light up the night as Christmas music twinkles in the background. Doesn’t that sound amazing? It is! Then, an army of tubas appear on stage and play glorious music. It’s the most beautiful sight mixed with most wonderful of sounds. At 7:00 p.m. there’s a parade featuring many of Blacksburg’s best and brightest. Candy will be thrown, music will be played, and talent will be everywhere! It’s the most wonderful time of the year (in Blacksburg)! Speaking of Christmas carols, all throughout the day, cute little children will be singing as well. It’s adorable and will certainly make you smile.

It’s a wonderful day to be in Blacksburg, Hokie ladies and gentlemen! If you’re feeling festive, if you need a Friday activity, or if you just love Christmas, toss on a Santa hat and come join me at The Winter Lights Festival. Trust me, you won’t regret it. It’ll probably be one of your favorite Blacksburg traditions too!